Denham Springs

10:11 am

Sat March 2, 2013

Settlement Reached in Lawsuit over Middle Finger Light Display

A lawsuit over a Denham Springs woman's light display, which extended a middle finger to her neighbors, has been settled.

Final dismissal documents were filed in federal court this week.

Sarah Childs said she put up the roof message in November because she believed a neighbor stole her dog. She said police threatened her with fines and arrest because of the lights. She and the ACLU of Louisiana sued the city, its mayor and police.

ACLU of Louisiana Executive Director Marjorie Esman described the settlement as allowing Childs to keep the lights up without harassment. Esman said Friday the city also paid $15,000 in attorney's fees to the ACLU.